Roasted Quince with Vanilla & Mandarin

R: Hey, where does bellybutton lint come from?
J: I have no idea, I think it just happens.
R: Do you get it?
J: No, that’s your special skill, but did you know that there are whole factories in China that harvest belly-button lint for quilts?

R: I’m going to the shops, I’ll see if I can get the Lego Movie.
J: Can you also bring me some waffles like I had in Santa Fe? And a kitten?
R: Probably not.
J: How about a belly-button lint quilt?
R: *rolls eyes*

So what, pray tell, does any of this have to do with quince? Absolutely nothing. However telling someone they can create something brilliantly luscious from a raw quince is about the same as telling them they can create a quilt from belly-button lint. (How’s that for a transition.)

You see raw quince, to be perfectly honest, is a bit of a bitch. Fragrant in a sour kind of way, hard as a rock, pretty much inedible, and covered in an odd fuzz.

There is so much potential — roasted quince must be one of the most magical creations ever to come out of an oven — but it’s not a quick fix. The quince makes you work for it.

One starts by washing off the fuzz and dancing around the lumps and bumps with with a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. A very sharp knife will assist with cutting the fruit in half, then quarters, then eights, and then carving out the hard core from each piece.

If you come out the other end with all your fingers intact you’re well on your way, but the resulting spoils of your labour are no more enticing than they started, at least not yet. It takes a few hours in the oven for the cheeky quince to transform from a beast into a beauty — but it is so worth the wait.

In other news I’m still seriously lacking in both blue corn waffles and kittens. Please send both immediately.

Vanilla & Mandarin Roasted Quince

The transformation of quince from a hard and inedible lump to a tender and succulent treat is akin to that of certain glass slipper wearing housemaid. How very magical.

Making me laugh, Miss JJ. Do we have quince in the States? Do think twice about a kitten. You will need to purchase and sift through several tons of cat litter over its lifetime, not to mention several ruined sofas and chairs. And if you still want one, I can create a bigger list. (Check with Carly…)

I totally wouldn’t write off the idea of belly button lint quilts. Sounds like you’re on to something!
I’m impressed with your quince patience though.
Glad the capcha issue wasn’t just me. I was starting to think I was going crazy because I’m good at maths and kept getting it wrong!

In our house, belly button lint is called “treasure” and stolen from hairy bellies before being held aloft, Lion King style. I told my friend about my “treasure hunting” once and he promised to save me all of his lint for a month, leading to me feeling rather queasy.

(Secretly, it’s just the fibres from t-shirts getting caught in belly hair, but that’s not so fun is it?)

Hahahaaaaa! Ah. This is awesome. Such a nice dialogue… reminds me of my brother and I. As for belly button lint, I had no idea it existed! Now I feel like I’m missing out on something significant. I think I need to grow some belly hair…. (Ick, not really). ANYWAY, back to this gorgeous quince dish! I love quince but I’ve never cooked it at home before. You make me want to. I’m going to try this as soon as I get home! Xx

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